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Features

February
2012, Vol.
24, No.2

A ‘Save the Rain’ solution

How Onondaga County implemented innovative infrastructure in Syracuse, N.Y., to prevent wet weather from entering the sewer system

Bj Adigun and Matthew J. MarkoTwenty-three years ago, pollution in Onondaga Lake was the subject of a Clean Water Act lawsuit. The resulting judgment required Onondaga County, N.Y., to take certain steps to reduce pollution from the Metropolitan Syracuse (N.Y.) Wastewater Treatment Plant (Metro) and lower the impact of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) on the lake and its tributaries. As the understanding of the problem and how best to solve it evolved, the consent judgment was amended four times.

In November 2009, a new plan approved using “gray” storage facilities to address wet weather flow in the combined system and innovative “green” infrastructure to prevent wet weather from entering the sewer system in the first place. Read full article (login required)

Applying the right water resource tools for the region

Cari K. Ishida, Eric Strecker, Trent Stober, Matt Bardol, and Marcus QuigleyPublic expectations and regulatory authorities are placing increased pressure on cities and municipalities to manage their water resources sustainably, including during wet weather conditions. But there is no one-size-fits-all approach because of regional differences in climate, infrastructure, and regulatory requirements. These differences can lead to regionally appropriate goals and objectives, as demonstrated by projects in two different cities — advanced rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems in St. Louis and stormwater management systems for a resort development in Newport Beach, Calif. Read full article (login required)

Disinfection options for reuse

Making the right choice

Gary Hunter and Ed KobylinskiDisinfection of reuse water is critical to the protection of public health. The design variables for determining the appropriate disinfection strategy have changed over the years because of changes in technology, regulations, and discharge points. The one-size-fits-all disinfection strategy no longer applies, and overall cost may not be the key factor in selecting a disinfection technology.

This article examines the pros and cons of common disinfectants such as chlorine and ultraviolet radiation, as well as such emerging options as ozonation, pasteurization, higher-output ultraviolet, chlorine dioxide, and peracetic acid. Read full article (login required)

Total destruction

Innovative treatment for oxidation of endocrine disruptors and disinfection to stringent standards

Andrew Salveson, Jeff Bandy, and Karl LindenA study was conducted on current and emerging tertiary and advanced treatment technologies for reclaimed-water disinfection and chemical constituent destruction. The primary goal of the research was to identify a low-cost technology (or technologies) that would simultaneously inactivate pathogens and destroy chemical constituents. Read full article (login required)

Operations Forum Features

A history of success

Ten years of operational experience with high-rate clarification

Matt Crow and Pat CoxonSince Bremerton, Wash., adopted its first combined sewer overflow (CSO) reduction plan in 1992, it has made tremendous strides toward compliance. The benefits of aggressive action became apparent as the volume and frequency of CSO events plummeted. A major milestone was attained in 2009, when the city constructed its final CSO reduction project and achieved 99% reduction in CSO frequency.

The East Side Facility, completed in 2001, serves as the cornerstone of Bremerton’s CSO reduction initiative. The East Side Facility was the first and is one of only a few limited-use satellite treatment facilities in the United States designed solely to treat CSOs using high-rate clarification (HRC). During 10 years of operation, Bremerton’s operators have learned a great deal about how to best operate and maintain this type of facility. Read full article (login required)

A solution for clogging pumps

Mike Gerszewski and Jim Fischer“The alarm is sounding again; must be another clogged pump!” was a common middle-of-the-night refrain in the Village of Hartland, Wis. Emergency calls had become the norm.

Frequent problems plagued the village’s lift stations. Of greatest concern were frequent emergency service calls to remove debris from clogged pumps. Unscheduled service calls had become a major expense as overtime hours and unplanned maintenance costs snowballed. This problem alone gave the village of 9000 people ample reason to look for a solution, but the solution — a new type of pump — also would provide other benefits. Read full article (login required)